Hello Everyone;

I'm trying to learn Afro Cuban rhythms and actually the correct way to make "songs" with these rhythms.

I purchased a book called Afro Cuban Keyboard Grooves by Manny Patino and Jorge Moreno.

In this book, there are tons of Afro-cuban rhythms such as merenge, salsa, cha-cha, mambo, latin jazz.

They show the keyboard part.
My question is about how to create a melody on top of those grooves which would fit in with the grooves.

Question: How would i create a melody on top of the groove that would fit the groove ? for example should the down beat be on certain beats etc ?
Any thoughts ?

For me to play a melody on top of the groove without any consideration to the groove , I could easily play "Mary had a Little Lamb" on top of every song or "Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars".

But I'm guessing that to make it stylistic of the music the melody should somehow match the underlying rhythm, could someone please explain a little on this topic. Someone with experience with this music ?

Thanks in advance.